Sex beast armed with a gun tied woman up and assaulted her in family home

Wanted: Police are appealing for anyone who saw this car (Image: Strathclyde Police)

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Police are hunting a sex attacker who tied a woman up in her own home and assaulted her before stealing a car.

The attack happened at a farm in Salsburgh near Shotts, North Lanarkshire, on Thursday September 5 but details have only been released now after officers carried out "sensitive and covert inquiries".

The 32-year-old victim was at home around 8.30am on the day when a man entered and threatened her with a gun, before he tied her up and demanded money. He then sexually assaulted her, leaving her "traumatised".

He fled in a BMW car which was later found abandoned in the nearby village of Plains.

The woman did not require hospital treatment, police said.

The man officers are trying to trace is around 5ft 8in with a stocky build. He was wearing tights to cover his face, a green army-style jumper with patches on the elbows and heavy boots. Police said he also had a "noticeable beer belly".

Officers are talking to motorists in Plains today near to where the car was abandoned to see if anyone remembers anything from September 5 which could help the investigation.

Police Scotland Detective Inspector David McFall said: "The victim of this terrifying but thankfully rare incident has been left traumatised by the events which took place in her home.

"In the nine weeks since the incident took place we have carried out extensive and sensitive inquiries to identify the person responsible for this attack which has meant we were not in a position to go public until today with details of the assault and robbery. However, I would like to reassure the public that I have no doubt this was a specifically targeted attack on the family.

"I am particularly keen to speak to anyone who saw the stolen black BMW on the morning of Thursday September 5 driving from Salsburgh to the Plains area.

"I would also like to speak to anyone who has any information on this attack or who can identify the man responsible. I would particularly ask people who live or work near to Salsburgh to get in touch if they remember anyone suspicious in their area around 5 September 2013."

Anyone with information can contact police on the 101 non-emergency number or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.